Poet, wife, goldendoodle owner

Tag Archives: Poetry

It’s been a busy time of it these past couple of months. Many performances in the books, and I still have a couple of more coming up.

On May 29th, I had the privilege of performing in Cincinnati at Word of Mouth. Mark Flannigan puts on a heck of a show. The crowd was very welcoming and I felt really good on stage. I performed from I Speak Hick, and Fully Formed.

This past weekend, I was honored to perform at the Columbus Arts Festival at the Word is Art stage. I performed a couple of pieces from Fully Formed, and a lot of new work from 2018’s 30/30 in April. Besides the heat, it was a really great show. There were a lot of wonderful poets performing, and it was an all-women lineup. That doesn’t happen too often. I was proud to be a part of that.

And now I’m on break until later this month when I’ll be performing at Comfest (Community Festival) on June 23rd. That’s always a fun show, and the poetry is very good. In July, I head to Akron to perform, and then I’m off for a few months. Maybe between now and some of these other performances I can actually get something written.

I haven’t written more than two poems since the end of National Poetry Month. I feel rather pathetic about that. I have not one ounce of imagination, right now. I know, I know… Write every day! you say. I get that. I even tried that, but all that came out was I dont’ know what to write, I don’t know what to write, I don’t know what to write. Guess what? I don’t know what to write and it hurts. I’m reading, listening to music, fitting in my jogging and working out, and … nothing. That blinking cursor against the white field of possibility mocks me. I don’t know what is possible, right now. I hope I figure it out soon.

This poet is tired, y’all. My husband and I did some travelling this past weekend.

Friday, we went to Canton and performed for Writing Knights, the publishing company of three of my books. The editor, Azriel, runs a couple of different shows in the area, and it’s always a pleasure to stop up that way and perform.

Here’s a photo from that event:

Saturday was a blessed day of rest, though the hubs and I did enjoy an afternoon at the Oddities and Curiositites Expo in Columbus. It was most definitely odd and curious.

Sunday took us all the way to Toledo for Uncloisetered Poetry. It was my first time there at that particular event, and I admit, I was nervous about this performance. I had an old friend whom I hadn’t seen in six years that was going to be there. I had two new friends who I had yet to meet who were going to be there. Couple that with the fact that one of that couple, Stuart, is a professional comedian/ performer and his wife, Shirley, is a successful writer on her own, and my nerves were on edge. All I could do was put together my strongest set possible, take a breath, and do my thing.

And do it, I did.

I was incredibly proud of this performance. I performed pieces from I Speak Hick and Fully Formed. I really enjoyed performing pieces from both of these books, though, I do admit, the pieces from I Speak Hick lend themselves better to performance. I really let loose during my set, and the audience really seemed to be into it.

The crowning moment, though? When the professional performer and writer complimented me on how tight my writing is. I damn near wanted to cry. That is always something I worry about as a poet. It was nice to hear those kind words come from them. I’ll carry that with me for a good, long, time.

Here are a couple of pictures from Uncloistered Poetry:

After this past weekend, I thought my May was over. I was fully intent on preparing for Columbus Arts Festival in June. My, oh, my, how things change. I received a message from a show I’ve been hoping to feature at for quite some time, asking me if I’d fill in as feature on the 29th. So, it looks like I’ll be road-tripping to Cincinnati to perform at Word Is Mouth. I’m excited for the new show and seeing a whole slew of new poets.

I recieved a(nother) rejection email last night. No biggie, I’m used to it. They did open the door to discussing my work in further detail. Would I take them up on that offer?

Damn right, I would.

It’s so rare to find a publisher who is willing to give personalized feedback on your work. I’m absolutely going to avail myself to the opportunity to make my work better and possibly get published with them.

I’m getting downright serious with these publishers. If they want something changed, I’ll change it. If they open the door for giving feedback, I’ll take the feedback. I have worked my way into getting two submissions published by listening to what an editor wanted. I got published by asking whether I can submit again with edits. I got published because I communicated.

It never hurts to ask an editior for feedback if they open the door. You just might get the feedback you need to find that poem a home.

Hello Poets and Poetry Lovers! After a couple of year hiatus, I have decided to bring the blog back up. Here, you will find out about work that is getting published as well as any performance or video information. There might be a photo or two of the goldendoodle interspersed throughout.

I’ll update my performance schedule monthly. I’ll add any work accepted for publication as they are published.

It took some digging, but I finally found all the links to my work, both online and in print. My very first piece in All Things Girl didn’t pull up, so there’s that. I do have information on the rest, though.

“House Tour” — Some Weird Sin Literary Magazine ( You can buy a hard copy or read it online)

And my first chapbook, “Letter to 20”— published by Poet’s Haven Press. The price is $6.00 and you have the choice of 4 cover colors. They are taking pre-orders, now, and the book will be released on February 1, 2013

Yes, it’s been a little while. I haven’t forgotten you, dear readers; I’ve just been pushing through some new poetry, getting ready for the Midnight Shift’s performance of “Army of Darkness” and submitting some work. Speaking of which…

I found out on Monday that my poem “Summer Afternoon” will be published in an anthology next month. The book is called “Hot Summer Nights,” by Inner Child Press. It was a happy surprise to find out it was included. Some feisty work is in this… I hope you enjoy.

I’m still working on getting something accepted by a university press. I had hope for the Cleveland Review, but alas, another rejection letter. Still holding out hope for Appalachia Heritage out of Berea college, though. Submitted one of my favorite Southern themed pieces. My fingers are crossed.

Also submitted to New Verse News, again. I’ve been reading about the tragedy/travesty that is the Penn State scandal and have become interested in the fate of the JoPa statue. It’s even become a topic of debate with my friends– some of whom want it taken down, and others who say leave it up, but maybe put a plaque there talking about the Sandusky case. I agree with the latter, and my poem explains why. If it’s published, I’ll post a link. If it’s rejected, I’ll post the damn thing here. Either way, it WILL see the light of day.

Yes. It’s been awhile. I’ve been slacking a little, what with the holiday and, you know… LIFE.

But, where I have not been working on poetry as much, I have been doing some other things. I was in the annual Doo-Day Parade with the Fishnet Mafia, the Columbus, Ohio Rocky Horror Shadowcast Troupe. The Mister was even in the parade. He was Brad while I was corseted up and Time Warping and getting sunburned. And, yes… here are the pictures (because we all know that it didn’t happen unless there are pictures. )

My mister as Brad.

No. Really. Stop looking at my butt.

The Mafia getting ready for the parade.

The parade was a blast! Time Warping non-stop in 100 degree heat tends to wear a person out, though. But we sucked it up; we’re kinda awesome, that way.

This past weekend was also our monthly show. I played Dr. Scott. It was the first time I’d seen Studio 35 since the renovations. Quite a nice place, and they had an awesome picture/poster of RHPS. Of course, I had to get a picture.

And I tied my own tie, too, last night. Like a boss.

So, the moral of this story: It’s okay to take a little break, and, you know, live a little. I love my shadowcasting activities. They are a different way for me to express myself and perform. I also think that doing this has made me a better poet by helping me be more unafraid to try new things and more comfortable around groups of people. I mean, if I can handle wearing a corset in front of thousands of people in downtown Columbus, I can handle a room full of poetry buffs.

So, back to poetry. I have been working on a rough draft of a piece. Tough piece, one that I didn’t think I would need to write… but sometimes you just have to. I did, also, submit work to Appalachian Heritage quarterly journal out of Berea College in Kentucky. I would love to eventually publish a book on my southern-ness. I have quite a few pieces, so there’s hope. Hopefully, AH will accept my work. My finger’s are crossed.